I ran into an interesting issue that I hadn’t run into previously, I met a blogger who ran a company blog about promoting SEO and Web Marketing. A blog mind you that offered tips, information and more regarding the bloggers foray and offerings for web marketing. I found a few articles interesting and the content good, but offered a few of my own experiences and point of views on some SEO topics. I did notice that my comments were deleted, I had assumed spam but found out that they were deliberated deleted because the admin didn’t want any comments that disagreed with him to be shown on his blog.
It was a business blog, promoting his business so I can understand that point of view a little bit, but ultimately do you think that YouTube and major websites really filter everyone’s comment if they “didn’t agree, or offered a different opinion on a subject?” You don’t win readers and traffic by censoring people who comment, I understand spam and crude comments, but difference of opinion comments are in my opinion open to free speech. By running a blog you are promoting free speech, but it is an interesting concept to remove that same free speech from your readers, and instead tailor your comments to only be what you want them to be. This is no more valuable than creating a whole bunch of fake accounts and writing “great article” comments on your own blog to yourself.
I was curious to hear from my fellow bloggers on how they handle commenters who say something that is in stark contrast or disagreement with what they are talking about. Personally I enjoy a good debate and differences of opinions, but I realize different blogs have different purposes and not everyone fits this bill.
So have you ever censored a comment on your personal or company related blog? What are your methods and guidelines for comment censoring?
I definitely want to hear from you on this one, as this is one area of blogging I am not that experienced in.
-Dragon Blogger
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Tags: blocking blog comments, blocking comments, blog comment spam, blog comment tips, Blog Commenting, Blog Comments, blogging etiquette, blogging tips, censor blog comments, censoring blog comments, censuring blog comments, commenting, Commenting on Blogs, leaving comments on blogs
January 17th, 2010 at 7:55 am
I do encounter commenters who do not agree with my views and I rarely encounter those people who are offensive – and delete these without any question.
There isn’t any hard rule for commenting, and I still think commenting rules is left to the discretion of the blog owner to implement his or her own comment policy, which is similar when joining websites and forums where we have to adhere to their TOS.
read Gem´s article about A Night with the Poetic Doctor
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January 17th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Don’t have a comments section if you’re going to force people to comment the way you want them too. What’s the point? You might as call it a testimonial section then if everyone is agreeing with you and praising your work.
Interesting topic. Cheers!
read Gordie´s article about Why Haven’t You Achieved Your Biggest Goal Yet?
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January 17th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Thank you, and I agree.
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January 17th, 2010 at 8:51 am
I think for me, I wouldn’t be censoring anyone unless they were a – blatantly spam or b – flaming. By flaming, I mean offering up such constructive pieces of criticism as ‘You suck’ or ‘I hate your blog’ without actual reasons.
Under those circumstances I would say its ok to delete the comment, but for a simple disagreement I’d rather leave it on and talk about it. Learn what makes the other person tick and all that
read Heather´s article about Life Drawing by Bridget Woods
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January 17th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Right, I mean if they are just blatantly rude without making a good statement or debate, that is one thing.
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January 17th, 2010 at 11:18 am
I’d love some indication that the post is read. I’ll get picky later.
read Ralph´s article about Sunday Funnies – The Chosen One
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January 17th, 2010 at 11:24 am
Interesting discussion. I think Gordie’s spot on. What you describe can’t really be called a comment section at all. Personally I’m still at the stage I get excited any time someone leaves a comment so I wouldn’t think of deleting any
Dialogue keeps things interesting and I’ve seen a good debate drive lots of traffic to a site too. Offensive language and spam would end up in the bin as I have no time for that but contructive criticism can always be of value.
read Eleanor Edwards´s article about God Bless Technology
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January 17th, 2010 at 11:37 am
The only time I have censored a comment is when it has been a personal attack at another commenter on my site or me.
I know of the blogger you are referring too and my comment on their blog was censored too. All I did was offer my experience with a company they were speaking of. I was told that they didn’t ask for my opinion.
When you open your blog to comments you ask for everyone’s opinion.
read Rose´s article about Follow Friday on Twitter
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January 17th, 2010 at 11:47 am
I might be lucky in that most of my posts are not really very controversial. I would welcome any constructive criticism and I don’t think I would censor. The other day I saw someone comment that a post was stupid and once I saw – this post doesn’t add anything I couldn’t find on the home page of the site (that the post was about). But I think this is just sour grapes. If a post isn’t valuable to you move on.
If there is something that you strongly disagree with and it might benefit the blogger and the readers of the post, I think it would be welcome.
There’s an old saying “everything ain’t for everybody”.
Great conversation to open up, thanks.
@Ileane
read ileane´s article about Install Google Analytics!
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January 17th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
I agree, they should at least add value if with negative feedback. I write poems on my poetry blog, and not everyone is a fan of all my poems. I don’t mind people saying they don’t like a specific poem, or it didn’t jive well or whatnot.
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January 17th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
The only comments I delete from my blog are ones that put people’s anonymity is jeopardy, OR a few of the death threats I’ve gotten. Generally I encourage people to engage me in debate, I adore difference of opinion because 1) I usually learn something new from differing perspectives, 2) I get to practice my ferocious debating skills, 3) I get to hone my own opinions, discard what no longer makes sense to me and embrace new idea’s and thoughts. If a blogger doesn’t embrace free speech then they are in the wrong end of the swimming pool. They need to go back to the kiddy pool. IMHO.
PS Youtube’s been deleting my comments of ewey gooey love for the artists I admire! WTF and Why?
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January 17th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
Wow, I hadn’t had death threats yet. Maybe I am not controversial enough?
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January 17th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
PS I love leaving up stupid, gross, sick and disparaging comments! It shows the blogosphere just how doopid certain trolls can be. I know a few of those types have slunk away with their tails between their legs in shame after trying to play with Hazel. Hoo Haw! I encourage every blogger to do the same. Can’t manage a sickness if you don’t measure how deep it goes.
read Hazel´s article about Satan’s Letter to Pat Robertson on Haiti
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January 17th, 2010 at 1:12 pm
I censor comments if they are mean-spirited or derogatory, but I print comments that are mere disagreements. We face the temptation to control what our readers think, but I let commenters speak for themselves.
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January 17th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
If it isn’t a rude or spammy comment it should be left on the site.
If they don’t want comments unless they agree with them then they should just close their comments.
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January 17th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
As long as said by good manner, disagreement comment usually make me learn something. So, i allow it.
read Dana @ Blogging Update´s article about Why am I so Late for WordPress 2.9 Version Upgrading?
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January 17th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
The moment you comment on a blog it means you agree with the blog owner’s comment policy.
The blog owner’s comment policy can be anything he wishes because it is his blog in the first place.
Definitely they won’t be making any friends from their actions but it’s their choice.
read Archon Digital´s article about Facebook Fan Page & Fan Box – I’m a Sucker for Widgets
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January 17th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I myself don’t censor comments. I mean if someone doesn’t agree with my points or my opinion thats ok. I believe they have there point and I have mine and actually it makes it interesting if they might have difference of opinion. Sure if its spam I kill it, but if its just a matter of opinion than I keep it and reply also professionally.
read Jim Hardin´s article about Hearty Blog Stock
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January 17th, 2010 at 8:20 pm
I apprecaite this post and the thoughtful comments left here on this topic. I will tell you that I mostly do not get comments on my posts. For example, I just wrote a post on Twitter in education that received over 200 views in 13 minutes without one comment. Therefore, I think it takes a lot for someone to bother to comment and in a way that deserves respect and consideration.
On the other hand Justin, as a Christian and expecially one who has started a series called “Going Deeper” on my Postcards blog every Thursday, hate is real. The way I look at it, I will not absorb 1kilobyte of of ignorant hatred in my comments. Too bad I can’t censor Stumbleupon reviews because someone just called me a “stupid Christian” over there. Justification to me that this series has been a long tome coming.
read Damien Riley´s article about Assigning Due Dates and Blog Productivity
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January 18th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Right, I am not talking about filtering vile language and just personal attacks. I am talking about disagreements, debates and comments that are stark contrast to the blog owners point of view.
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January 18th, 2010 at 12:00 am
I know whom you are talking about, my comments are hardly controversial ever so it passed easily but i have seen rose’s comments and a few others bloggers comments was deleted, and perhaps they were even IP blocked. I never checked that blog since.
Personally, on my blog i never moderate comments, i block spam and so does bad-behavior and akisment, but we are not talking about spam here, but comments that disagrees. I would love to have comments that disagrees after all that is bringing in another perspective on the topic which is valuable content.
The blogger in question is actually thinking that his sponsors would quit because of negative points which is absolutely wrong. No sponsor or business runs away from negative comments but by blocking negative comments the blogger would be in as much risk of a court summon as the business it self that he is promoting.
Ohh, and yes, i use the No-Sh|t wordpress plugin to censor bad words, it works nicely
read Uttoran Sen´s article about 10 Things to do Before Making a Blog
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January 18th, 2010 at 2:45 am
I strongly agree. I find it rude to delete comments with no absolute reasons at all! If they didn’t want any comments in their site, what’s the use of having that comment box anyway? I appreciate your blog. Thanks.
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January 18th, 2010 at 2:53 am
I like some others don’t get very many comments on my posts and so far have had only a small handful of spam attempts that I did not allow to be posted. I haven’t had any comments from anyone disagreeing with anything that I have written, yet. Which is surprising since my most recent post is about a controversial subject which most people are shocked when they hear my opinion on the matter.
I would welcome any comments that are in disagreement to either my opinions and/or methods. I would be given the chance to further back up my statements and allow the opposition to do the same. Just as long as it remains tactful and does not turn into personal attacks.
read Aaron´s article about So Mark McGwire took steroids…
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January 18th, 2010 at 5:56 am
I don’t think I would censor or remove any comment unless it was the lines of hate speech. There’s no reason for that. I can’t say that I’ve ever deleted a comment off my site, but I would if I had recived a comment like the one Damien listed above. I don’t know why someone would delete comments just because they didn’t agree with your point of view, but to each his own, I guess. Personally, I enjoy having my ideas challenged and reading differing points of view. It makes me think.
read Jessica The Rock Chick´s article about Dumb It Down
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January 18th, 2010 at 8:16 am
I would never return to the site and leave any comment where I know that they might delete my comment just because I disagree with their views. Its totally insane.
Comment moderation should just be used to avoid spamming and the comments against the TOS but it is not acceptable from any side of censoring.
read Suresh Khanal@blogging and bloggers´s article about Do NOT Waste Your Time to Promote Your Blogs
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:19 am
That shouldn’t be happening. However, in some cases I too have to delete comments, particularly when I get comments about some companies which may be defamatory. I find it really hard to draw a line anywhere.
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:37 am
You give me something to think about when moderating my own blog comments. My blog is nothing more than entertainment, probably my own more so than others, and it houses alot of adult content although not raunchy in my opinion. Also, I use it to vent and share personal stories like many others. However, a recent topic on Haiti came up and I did delete a comment shared by a viewer that I felt was too extreme and hateful. I did not want my viewers to think that I shared this veiw and shamefully, I didnt recomment. Looking back now, I wish I had. I started the blog thinking that it didn’t matter how many readers I had… and only just now do I see how that has changed. And I don’t like it. One of my premises was not to be censored, yet ego did it for me.
I know this may not be what you were looking for in a responce, but I wanted to share with you.
I guess buisness based blogs should be looked at as more of an online lecture and sales pitch… not two way blogging.
read santasdevil´s article about Fantasy VS Reality – the Barbershop
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:44 am
Thanks for sharing that story and how you deleted a hateful comment, I am not opposed to deleting hateful and meaningless comments, like somebody saying something vulgar or rude just for the sake. This topic sparked lots of feedback and opinions.
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January 18th, 2010 at 10:39 am
I wouldn’t censor differing opinions. If everyone agrees (or is made to appear to agree) there can be no progress in our thinking. It is through open discussion that new ideas can be introduced and further refined. I can’t tell you how jealous I am that I didn’t think of this topic.
Ray
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:16 am
I’ve deleted comments – mostly because they were blatant spam. (For a while, I found quite a few in Chinese, spamming for porn sites.)
I rarely delete other comments: agreement; disagreement; abusive or vulgar. I don’t like them: but in some cases the obscenity-riddled diatribes made my point as well as I could have done, myself. Sort of a ‘you’re known by your detractors’ thing.
The business owner, in my opinion, has – or had – a daft policy. Word can get around, about that sort of action: and I think encourages readers to ‘fill in the blanks’ with material that’d be worse than the censored comments.
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January 18th, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Thanks for sharing your incite, I do delete SPAM comments and comments where people clearly try to link sites back in their comment for abuse purposes.
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January 18th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
I am against Censoring blog comments and if anyone ever will leave a heated up comment on me…I’ll try to answer that one rather than delete that one.
To me, an acceptable comment is which is not based on discrimination, racism or hatred. As long as they’re written in a respecting way, they’re acceptable to me no matter how much different those comments are from my opinion. I would rather accept or delete comments, I won’t be editing their comments because I will feel that it’s not my right to do so.
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January 18th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
I think your argument breaks down because you make an erroneous assumption:
No more than any other statement is doing so.
I’ve been blogging for seven years and the only comments I’ve ever “censored” were spam and vulgar comments. Once I banned a commenter (on a registration only blog) because I felt she was promoting violence. (Even then, I didn’t delete her comments.) I welcome alternative points of view because I don’t mind a good debate, I think my POV is sound and can be defended, and I’m willing to be persuaded that I’m wrong and change my position.
That said, blogs are private property. There is no moral code that requires bloggers to promote ideas with which they disagree on their reserved space. Can I come put up political placards in your yard just because you blog about politics? Can I put bumper stickers on your car opposing what you think, just because you made a statement about it? If you write a letter to the editor, can I use YOUR property to counter you?
If you really want to present a contrasting POV, you can do so on your own time in your own space.
read Alison Moore Smith@Start Blogging´s article about Business Ethics: Helping Others is Good All the Way Around
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January 18th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
I am not saying that a blog owner isn’t our shouldn’t be allowed to, a blog is private property. I just am curious to know others opinions on a blogger who would delete any comment that a direct praise or an agreement. Also, if you are a blog that asks for comments/feedback it is contradictory to censor it.
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January 18th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
Moderating comments is important. But for the right reason. I moderate spam, hate speech, porn, self promoting, etc. I sometimes edit comments that contain words and speech that is not fit for children. But I edit it in such a way as not to take away from the original comment. So in case of a curse word, I would just remove the curse word and or replace it with asterisk.
Not everyone is going to agree with your point of view. That’s a fact. If all you want is pro-comments on your blog. Higher a copyist to comment on your blog.
Although it is totally up to the blogger what he/she wants to do with their blog and or comments.
Similar to me making an outrageous comment and not allowing right of reply.
Sometimes criticism is good for a blog and blogger. Sometimes a comment that takes the opposite view can actually increase traffic.
I’m all for critical and opposing views, but all with in a certain amount of respect and decency. If you want me to respect your view point, then have the courage to respect mine.
But then again it’s totally up to the blogger. Personally I would be very careful.
read Robert Bravery´s article about Carnaval of Blogging – January 18, 2010
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January 18th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Thanks for sharing your point of view, happy to have your 2 cents added.
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January 18th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
I delete blatant spam and blatant scum, other then that say what you will, but don’t expect me to sit quiet either.
Seriously though, I feel kinda bad for the company this clown is promoting for…he obviously knows little about the two areas he’s in charge of.
read Dennis Edell´s article about Blog Move Is Imminent ! I’m Looking For Launch Partners…
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January 18th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
[...] more here: Opinion on Censoring Blog Comments on Dragon Blogger [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 1:39 am
This is such bad behavior, if he does not want disagreement then he should close comments, in the end he will push away readers and rightly so.
read JR @ Internet Marketing´s article about The Ultimate and Best Content Spinner Ever
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January 21st, 2010 at 5:06 am
I’ve had readers who disagreed with my opinions a number of times. I let them be because they’re thoughtful, humorous and usually made sense to me. I’ve several readers who made me change my mind oI’d rather have readers who’d leave comments that clash with my opinions than too diplomatic readers who never leave dissenting opinions but smirk behind your back and think you’re a fool. But of course I will not think twice about deleting abusive, disrespectful comments. So far, I have no occasion to censor my readers.
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January 21st, 2010 at 7:13 am
I have had readers point out errors in what I thought I knew, and this helps me learn and become more informed. I agree sometimes the best commenters are ones who disagree and make excellent arguments on their points.
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February 21st, 2010 at 4:14 pm
well for one thing, the new comments i have control over, so if i don’t like what they say i just delete….as for the people who are already on my list, they are pretty professional about their comments.good info.
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February 21st, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Thank you, happy to have you share your voice.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
I have never censored a comment. I actually like debates on my posts because they bring more traffic so if the comment is different from my own opinion, I like it. However, I have had comments in the past who used extreme foul language and when I see those, I automatically delete them. The whole point of a blog is to express opinions which includes comments. Lively debates are fun.
Joanne Olivieri´s last blog ..Save The San Francisco Botanical Gardens
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February 25th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
I don’t like hate or vulgarity either when people comment, those are usually bit bucket comments.
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February 25th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
First, about Heather’s “By flaming, I mean offering up such constructive pieces of criticism as ‘You suck’ or ‘I hate your blog’ without actual reasons.” – I see her point, and agree, to an extent. On the other hand, I’ve left such comments in place. They don’t hurt me, and rob potential detractors of the opportunity to claim that I won’t tolerate criticism.
As for censoring comments: I “censor” spam. Unless it’s got some (occasionally vague) connection to the post’s topic.
I finally started comment moderation on 10 of my 11 blogs. I was weary of the Chinese-language pornographic spam I was getting.
Other than remove spam, no: I do not censor comments. Although I have on occasion redacted some, by re-posting them as comments from my account, with links and personally-identifiable information replaced by [redacted]. That’s a *rare* event, though: and something that I do only if I am concerned about a person’s welfare – or to retain a relevant ‘spam’ comment without benefiting the spammer with links and visibility.
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February 25th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I am just now testing wp-spam free in addition to akismet to see how well it keeps my spam folder clean.
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February 25th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Actually, for one of my blogs (it’s the only one which is not comment-moderated at this point), I’ve gotten some of my best ‘I am not making this up’ material from terribly earnest comments posted by people with – divergent? – views.
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April 8th, 2010 at 2:33 am
I know I sound prudish on this topic, but….. If the site is screened for profanity, it won’t need to be tiered. I have noticed more and more ‘language’ getting through the ‘screener’ (don’t know if KIRO uses software or people).
Talk about a slippery slope. As I mentioned on a previous topic, when you allow profanity in, it attracts people who can’t form a sentence with out being laden with expletives. It becomes a cheapened blog where differences can’t be discussed or debated without the vulgar every-other-word-do-something-to yourself argument!
Screen out the profanity, bounce the boneheads (as per your example above) and we’ll take care of the rest!!!
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